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Covered California

As the new health care law goes into effect, there are many questions about the impact of the law on individuals and families. Listed below are some of the key dates and answers to common constituent questions. There are also links to resources that can help answer other questions you may have that are not covered on my website. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact my office if we can help in any way.

January Update

When do I have to enroll and pay if I want my coverage to start January 1st?

You can apply for Covered California at any time during the open enrollment period – which ends March 31, 2014 – but to have your health coverage start on January 1, 2014, Covered California must have received your complete application no later than December 23, 2013 and your health plan must receive your first month’s premium payment by January 6, 2014.

What if I don’t enroll by December 23rd or pay by January 6th?

If you didn’t enroll to have coverage start on January 1st, you can still get covered. Open enrollment extends through March 31, 2014, so you can still get coverage starting in February, March, April or May. See the chart below for upcoming deadlines and coverage start dates.

Covered California received completed application

Health plan receives first premium payment

Coverage starts

December 23, 2013

January 6, 2014

January 1, 2014

January 15, 2014

January 28, 2014

February 1, 2014

February 15, 2014

February 25, 2014

March 1, 2014

March 15, 2014

March 26, 2014

April 1, 2014

March 31, 2014

April 25, 2014

May 1, 2014

How do I apply?

You can apply online, by phone or by mail. You can also get in-person assistance completing your application. Covered California’s service center is experiencing high call and mail volumes, so the best way to ensure coverage as soon as possible is to apply online or with in-person assistance. Apply online at www.CoveredCA.com or go to our “Find Help near You” webpage at https://www.coveredca.com/enrollment-assistance/ to find in-person assistance. By applying on-line or with in-person help, you can be sure your application is complete. If applying with a paper application, make sure you pick a health plan when you apply and that you send it to Covered California to be received by the deadlines outlined above.

I enrolled in a plan through Covered California: How will I get my premium bill and insurance cards?

Your health plan will send your first premium bill directly to you, as well as insurance cards once your premium is paid.

I received my premium bill: How can I pay it?

You need to pay the health plan that you enrolled in directly. You can pay your premium bill by mail – but be sure you send it so the plan will receive your payment in accordance with the chart above. Your health plan may also accept payment through the phone or online, which will be faster than mailing your payment. Contact your health plan for more information about payment options.